A/N: A big thank you to Auda, a fallen tree, Redwallfreak, and Shi Ern for their lovely reviews!

All mistakes are mine. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Less than a half-day march from Redwall lay a vermin camp. Most of the creatures were still slumbering in their tents, but some were already fishing in the nearby stream or foraging along the bank for food. They looked simple enough, except for their clothing. Every single vermin was wearing a dark green hooded cloak that fastened at their necks and concealed any weapons that may have been buckled at their sides. It was mandatory for all to wear the hoods - this was to make sure no woodlander could recognize them - and death if a vermin did not comply. This was the Hooded Clan, a feared army of about a hundred soldiers all armed to the fang with weapons and ready to fight at a moments notice. All the vermin relished war and plundering, and would often quarrel over treasure. The same applied to food, as it was every creature for themselves. Unlike Redwall, the horde was not a family.

Panting slightly, the raven headed directly for the largest tent, which was separated from the rest of the camp. He folded his jet-black wings into his body and waddled inside, ensuring he stopped several feet short of a large chair. He was intelligent enough not to make eye contact with the barbaric beauty lounging in the seat.

She was long and thin, with glimmering white teeth and green eyes that sparkled like the finest emeralds. Six perfectly straight whiskers sprouted from either side of her narrow muzzle, and a long purple cloak flowed behind her, fastened to her neck with a mouse skull. Her deep brown fur was tinged with black and flecked with silver, ending at the tip of her bushy tail. With the exception of a few randomly placed cream-coloured blotches, her underbelly was the same colour as the rest of her body. Two small rounded ears swivelled constantly, picking up the slightest sounds. Each paw had five semi-retractable and incredibly sharp claws. She was an impressive sight to behold.

Bowing respectfully, the raven began his report. "There are scores of woodlanders, your Majesty. Treemice, riverdogs, hedgepigs, an old longears, an' even a big male stripedog. He looks like he'll be a tough one to defeat."

She scowled at the bird, her speech regal. "I'll be the judge of that."

The raven didn't dare move as he continued. "When I was in the big hall I saw a picture of a mouse. He was on a great cloth fastened to the wall."

This information did not seem to impress his master any. "What need do I have of a tapestry mouse?"

"The two riverdogs, they seem to worship this mouse. I saw the female staring at him like he was her hero. All the inhabitants must think the same."

Realization dawned upon the other creature, and she revealed four wickedly long canines in a grotesque smile. "We steal the picture, we steal their spirit. I'll have Redwall Abbey in my claws before I've even done anything. Excellent work, Clawing. Take a rest; you return to the Abbey tonight. We'll go over the details later."

Clawing clacked his beak and walked out of the tent, relieved that his Majesty had appeared pleased with his findings. She was known to have a hot temper, and he had witnessed her bad side. It was something he did not want to experience for himself.

Lady Mortaza the Wicked sneered at the sounds of the vermin outside and took a drink from the goblet that was resting on the table beside her. The aroma of roasted black-backed gull assaulted her nostrils, and she instantly started to salivate. However, she did not rise from her seat. She merely stayed put and waited patiently.

Before long a male entered the tent holding the steaming carcass. Other than having coarser fur and being both taller and larger, he was identical. Flashing her a smile, he tore off one of the wings and handed it to her. Nodding her thanks, she sunk her sharp teeth into the juicy meat, licking her lips as she chewed. "Delicious. Did you bring it down?"

He replied as he ripped off the other wing. "Aye. They don't usually come this far inland, but it must have been a straggler. Although I'm sure this is nothing compared to what that Abbey has."

Mortaza's eyes burned cruelly. "The crow mentioned a hare, albeit an old one. They're quite delicious when roasted over a fire."

Lord Kren the Savage smiled, revealing his needle-sharp teeth. "All in good time, my love. First we need to conquer Redwall; then we will have our feast."

His wife, who was the more crueler one of the pair, said nothing as she patted his paw affectionately and continued with her breakfast. Kren thought silently to himself as he ate in the chair beside her. While their horde had an assortment of creatures - rats, stoats, foxes, weasels, and ferrets - he and Mortaza were the only two fishers. This was on purpose though, as both believed their species to be the most intelligent. They were well aware that a fisher had never been sighted in Mossflower, which meant that Redwall most likely had no information about the breed. Kren and Mortaza were feared predators and leaders, known for their terrible path of death and destruction. As their army grew bigger, so did their reputation. Unlike most vermin leaders, who were determined to keep the wealth to themselves, husband and wife planned on conquering Redwall together. Both were full-grown adults, capable of tearing apart any creature with a swipe of their deadly claws, and totally fearless. Taking over an Abbey full of peace-loving woodlanders wouldn't prove to be too difficult, even with the badger there. Besides, his strength would make him an excellent worker.

Mortaza swallowed the last remaining meat on the gull wing and licked her lips in contentment, an evil gleam in her deceptively beautiful eyes. "We make our move tonight. This time tomorrow, we'll be dining inside Redwall Abbey."

The day at Redwall passed by uneventful. Culy assisted in cleaning up Cavern Hole, as did everybeast, before starting her duties as assistant to Liv, who was Nursemaid of all the Dibbuns. The kind hogmaid had not held the title for very long but she was incredibly patient with the rowdy babes, who thought everything was one big game. After breakfast the two companions gathered all the youngsters and gave each one a bath, although most of the Dibbuns disliked this part of the day and often struggled with their caregivers. To help calm them down, Liv sang to the infants in a gentle voice whilst carefully scrubbing them from ears to tail. When that was finished, she passed them to Culy who would dry them with a fresh cloth. Sometimes she would cover their eyes with it and act as if they had suddenly vanished. All the Dibbuns showed their love for this game by clapping, giggling, and asking to do the same to Culy. Once the babes had been dried and dressed Liv and Culy took them outside for some play time, as it was a wonderful spring day accompanied by a light breeze. Semser and Emroon, who shared the title as Abbey Warrior, assisted in the orchards as there was much fruit to be picked. Culy simultaneously watched the Dibbuns and her parents, chuckling as her father constantly bugged her mother. It was amusing to see the two adults playing around, as Culy was fully aware of the hardships they had endured. Semser had told her about Emroon's tragic past and of the one called Dakmus who had very briefly conquered Redwall before being slain by the ottermaid. But perhaps the most trying time was when Semser was temporarily paralyzed after saving Emroon's life. Culy remembered the night when her father had walked, albeit slowly, from the door to her bed. Eventually the brave otter moved from the wheelchair to using a blackthorn stick - which also doubled as a weapon - to get around. Now he walked without any assistance, although he and Emroon often held paws.

A baby mouse tugged at her habit and pointed at a patch of grass, bringing the young ottermaid back to reality. She picked him up and smiled in admiration at the two otters she was blessed to call her parents.

It was a cool night in Mossflower. Somewhere in the forests vastness an owl hooted mournfully, but Clawing ignored it. His main focus was on the figure he had spotted atop the north wall. He could not make out their species, but they were nonetheless a Redwaller and a beast he did not want to encounter. Flying low beneath the canopy, the sly raven made his way to and over the south wall. He landed quietly on a windowsill that took him right into Great Hall and looked around cautiously, ensuring that nobeast had spied him. He had heard about a big male hawk living at the Abbey and was not particularly keen on meeting him. Clawing's plummage camouflaged him against the black night, and he remained frozen as his eyes darted back and forth between the various trees on the Abbey grounds. There was no sight of the raptor - although it didn't mean he wasn't out there watching - and after a few seconds he flapped his powerful wings, hovering in the air for a brief moment before digging his talons into the top of the Abbot's Chair. He studied the picture before him. The armoured mouse seemed to stare into his very spirit, as if he were warning him to turn around and flee into Mossflower. Clawing shook his head and, leaping onto a table that rested against the wall, immediately started ripping the material with his beak and talons.

Culy gazed out at the uncharted night sky, which sparkled like gems from the billions of stars that lined its velvety blanket. Normally sleep did not elude her, but an odd feeling tugged at her heart and no matter how hard she tried her bed felt uncomfortable. She had sneaked out of the Gatehouse Cottage, briefly checking on her parents before heading up the stairs and to the Abbey parapets. The dirk that Emroon had given her was buckled to her waist in case of an emergency.

Light from the full moon poured down on the young ottermaid, and although she did not feel tired her eyelids drooped heavily. A tranquil feeling washed over her, and she was unaware of whether she was awake or dreaming. From the corridors of her young mind, a voice called urgently to her.

"Culy, you must help me!"

A misty figure walked towards her, and she instantly knew who it was: Martin the Warrior. The ancient mouse, clad in his battle armour, pointed his great sword in the direction of Great Hall. "Please, don't let the evil ones take me!"

Culy's dream ended as quickly as it had began, and she took immediate action. Whipping out her dirk, she bolted down the stairs and sprinted across the lawns. Realization struck in the form of an icy claw gripping her heart: somebeast was stealing Martin's tapestry.